Manipulating the building blocks of life, Shanghai is set to host a new cell industrial park. [Photo/VCG]

The Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission has approved the establishment of Shanghai Zhangjiang Cell Industrial Park, according to an announcement issued on July 12.

Officials said the park is expected to form an initial industrial chain within three years, and a mature cell therapy chain combining research and development, production, transportation, treatment and equipment by 2026.

Experts suggested that although China’s cell therapy is at the forefront of the world, challenges still exist with related industry, innovation and service chains. They said the newly-established cell park can introduce related policies that give full play to the competitive advantages enjoyed by Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone and Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

The park can establish a communications mechanism with local regulatory bodies and accelerate the industrialization of innovative technologies, said Wang Liqun, CEO of Fosun Kite Biotechnology Co, one of the leading companies in cell therapy in Zhangjiang.

Last December, leading cell therapy company JW Therapeutics China announced the grand opening of an R&D center in Zhangjiang Science City in Pudong New Area, which focuses on innovative and practical research in cell therapy to address the major scientific and application issues of cellular immunotherapy.

"Zhangjiang Cell Industrial Park can be built as a test field for the cell industry," said Sun Jing, director of government affairs at JW Therapeutics China.

As one of the regions with the most potential to develop the cell therapy industry in China, Zhangjiang has a first-mover advantage in the sector.

According to statistics, over 50 companies engaging in cell therapy have settled in Zhangjiang Science City to date, including 20 R&D companies and 15 cell equipment enterprises.